George Ryerson on duty at Murdoch Mysteries filming
Nalini and “Constable Gray” with Finding Home
The set of Murdoch Mysteries 300th episode
Actors await their calls at Springer Market Square behind Kingston City Hall
Kingston streets were recently transformed into scenes of London, England in 1912 for the filming of 300th episode of Murdoch Mysteries. Yannick Bisson and Helene Joy, along with a few regular cast members and dozens of local “extras” chatted in the white tents behind City Hall or milled about Springer Market Square, separated from avid fans and interested passersby by the set security and local police.
While awaiting the film crew’s next call of “Rolling. Quiet please.” I spied George Ryerson. I had met him the previous day while he was ensuring the safety of the carpenters and other tradespeople who were preparing the set for Wednesday’s shoot. When I hollered out to him, he came over to see what I wanted. Clutching a ziplock bag containing a copy of Finding Home and a note addressed to Helene Joy and Yannick Bisson, I explained that many reader had suggested that my novel would make a great mini-series but, since I have no connections in the world of television or film, I hoped that, if I gave the book to the lead actors, perhaps they could direct it to people who might be interested in running with that idea. George kindly offered to find an actor for me.
A short while later, he appeared with a London bobby, “Constable Gray” (aka Mark) to whom I reiterated my wish. “Let me see what I can do,” he told me. When he reappeared, he was accompanied by Nalini, a woman with official identification who turned out to be part of the costume department. When she heard my request, she volunteered to make sure that the ziplock bag reached Yannick Bisson. You can imagine how profusely I thanked her.
Despite hanging around until filming wrapped up around 5:50 pm. because the light had faded, I didn’t actually get to meet “Detective Murdoch” or “Dr. Ogden”. The closest I got to the action was a bunch of photos of the set, and a cookie from the actors’ tent, courtesy of “Constable Gray'”. But I did meet a wonderful group of personable and helpful actors, crew and security folk.
I have no idea what will come of my afternoon ‘on the set’, but I’m especially grateful to George Ryerson whose assistance allowed me to continue dreaming of Finding Home, the mimi-series.